The Chinese dragon came first in the mythical hierarchy of 360 scaly
creatures, and was one of the four animals who symbolized the cardinal
points. Associated with the east, the dragon stood for sunrise, spring
and fertility and was opposed by the white tiger of the west, who
represented death.
Daoism emerged as a philosophical system at about the same time as
Confucianism, around the sixth century BC. Later in response to the
growing popularity of Buddhism, it acquired all the trappings of a religion. Daoist dragons were benevolent spirits associated with happiness and
prosperity, and were kind to humans. However, when Buddhism became
popular, either character was modified by the Indian concept of the
naga, which was a more menacing creature.